Stories from Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Louise Boyle, 91 of Batesville passed away Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at Batesville. She was born March 30, 1931, at Dell to Louis Bryan Turner and Johnnie Mooney Turner. She was an accountant/bookkeeper and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Blytheville, later in life she joined the Ramona United Methodist Church in California. Louise enjoyed her family, painting, quilting and giving to others...

Frances England Dozier, 86, of Valrico, Fla., passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2023, in Plant City, Fla. She was born in Blytheville to the late James Elec England and Millie Bivens England. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Aubert (Al) E. Dozier; her brother, James L. England; her sister, Ramona Cain Guizar; nieces, Deborah Cain Bader, Pamela England Prudhomme; and nephews, Rusty Allen Dozier and Terry Lloyd England...

Barbara Cook Lacer, 76, of Cooter, Mo., passed away Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at her home. Barbara was born in Kennett, Mo., to Fred and Mamie Scott Cook. She was a homemaker and attended Cooter United Methodist Church. Barbara was very active in her children’s school activities and she enjoyed time around the pool with her family and friends...

Doris Malone “Boots” Richardson, 84, of Big Sandy, Tenn., passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at AHC in Paris, Tenn. Born in Tomato to Avril and Lavelle Malone, Doris was of the Baptist faith. She loved sewing, fishing, crossword games and puzzles. She especially loved her family...

Graveside services for Ruby Inez Pease, 99, were held Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at 2 p.m. with Revs. Neil Chathum and Marcus Hoover officiating. Services and burial were in the Friendship Cemetery. Mrs. Pease died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at the CHC Gosnell Health and Rehab after an extended illness. ...

Barbara Ann Boatman of Blytheville was born Jan. 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., to Aubrey Boatman and Lenten Grayson Boatman. Barbara was a graduate of Blytheville High School and was employed at Abilities Unlimited. She was a member of True Gospel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Carl Rogers...

Donald Richard “Duck” James, Sr., 53 of Osceola, passed away Dec. 31, 2022, at Covenant Health Center in Lubbock, Texas. He was a steel mill worker and of the Baptist faith. Mr. James was born Dec. 2, 1969, in Osceola to Jessie Parks and Rosemary James Dunn. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rosemary Dunn; two brothers, Roosevelt Dunn, Jr. and Robert Dunn...

David Monroe Chapman, 65, of Jonesboro passed away Jan. 8, 2023 at his home. He was a construction worker and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Chapman was born Dec. 13, 1957, in West Memphis, to William and Iona Laster Chapman. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Pat Baker; one nephew, Eric Baker; and one niece, Stacy Lemmons...

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.— Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders delivered her inaugural address from the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol. Remarks as prepared for delivery: "Speaker Shepherd, President Hester, members of the Supreme Court, distinguished Members of the General Assembly, my fellow Arkansans: ...

WHEREAS: The Governor of the State of Arkansas has the responsibility to reduce government waste and ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely; WHEREAS: Elected officials must eliminate unnecessary spending at every level of state government; and  WHEREAS: The Governor of the State of Arkansas will review current and prospective state payroll expenditures to ensure its government functions efficiently and responsibly...

Johnny Lee Meadows of Osceola was born July 5, 1961, to W.C. Meadows and Ruby Lee Meadows in Jackson City, La. Johnny departed this life on Jan. 1, 2023, at Great River Hospital at the age of 61. He leaves to cherish his memories two daughters, Stacey Rogers and Vadell Jackson, both of Osceola; one son, Steven (Sharelle) Fowler of Minneapolis, Minn.; five sisters, Alice Johnson, Shelly Meadows, Tina (Keith) Keys of Blytheville, Trudy Jones of Osceola, Juanita (Louis) Jones of Joiner; two brothers, David Meadows and Ricky Meadows of Blytheville; and a host of other family members and friends.. ...

WHEREAS: Ethnically insensitive and pejorative language has no place in official government documents or government employee titles; WHEREAS: The government has a responsibility to respect its citizens and use ethnically appropriate language, particularly when referring to ethnic minorities;...

WHEREAS:  The People’s Republic of China (“China”) is locked in economic, political, and military competition with the United States. It is a foreign adversary that presents serious challenges to our values, our security, and our economy; WHEREAS:  The challenges posed by China are particularly acute with respect to information and communications technologies. ...

WHEREAS: Schools must educate, not indoctrinate students; and their education policies must protect children and prepare them to enter the workforce; WHEREAS: Teachers and school administrators should teach students how to think—not what to think; WHEREAS: Critical Race Theory (CRT) is antithetical to the traditional American values of neutrality, equality, and fairness. ...

WHEREAS: State government must protect hardworking taxpayers and tackle waste, fraud, and abuse at every level of government; WHEREAS: According to the United States Department of Labor, the State of Arkansas spent more than $53 million on improper unemployment benefits to ineligible applicants over the course of three years; ...

By STEVE KNOX - Times Staff New cases of COVID 19 in the state of Arkansas dropped slightly to 263 in Arkansas Department of Health statistics released on Jan. 10. The moving seven day average number of cases stood at 357 on that same date, a decrease of 89...

Senior linebacker Mason Moore, one of the leading tacklers in the state of Arkansas, has been chosen the Burlsworth Character Award winner. Moore led all Class 4A tacklers in 2022 with 133 stops, 17 for a loss to earn all-conference honors. Moore is also a beast in the classroom with a 4.0 grade point average and an ACT score of 29. ...

WHEREAS: The purpose of Arkansas state government is to assist in the success of businesses in this state rather than to impose additional burdens and barriers to industries; WHEREAS: Executive Order No. 15-02 was issued to prohibit the promulgation of unnecessary rules and regulations that burden businesses;...

WHEREAS: Government officials have an obligation to simplify and streamline government; WHEREAS: Since the formation of Arkansas in 1836, the Governors of the State of Arkansas have issued numerous Executive Orders; WHEREAS:  The citizens of Arkansas and those who work for them in the Arkansas state government in the executive departments, agencies, offices, boards, and commissions need clarity regarding which  Executive Orders are currently in effect to ensure compliance with Arkansas law;...